Tuesday, December 4, 2012

This week the transportation element was added to the online "Town Hall" interactive website for public comment. It's up to YOU to become part of this exciting interactive community conversation!

New Horizon 2035A new vision of Lee County in 2035 -
an economically and environmentally desirable place to live, work and
visit - was crafted through an extensive community planning effort that
included over 40 public workshops. Now, it’s time to revise Lee County’s
growth management plans to bring that vision of a Livable Lee to
reality. The most important changes to the Lee Plan are highlighted
here. Will they get us to our vision? Here’s your chance for a final
“thumbs up” – or a last-minute tweak of the elements as we present them
over the next few months.

The
transportation element describes the way we build the facilities where
we walk, bike, ride the bus, drive, and fly. It encourages a safe and
convenient transportation system to connect people to their
destinations. Transportation decisions consider livability, community
character and sustainability in addition to traffic management.

WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?

We
meet our daily needs using some form of transportation. Many people in
Lee County depend on traveling by car. Lee County forecasts that there
is a $2 billion shortfall if we continue to use highway projects as an
attempt to build our way out of congestion. A balanced transportation
system can happen only when walking, riding a bicycle, or riding a bus
is just as safe and convenient as driving a car to meet daily needs.
The transportation system affects the economy, the environment, housing,
health, well-being, livability, walkability, and design of the
community. Transportation facilities are also Lee County’s biggest
source of air pollution. Limited resources present us with choices and a
challenge to make the best use of what we have.

WHAT ARE THE CHANGES?

The
transportation element identifies changes in policies that define how
we prioritize and spend taxpayer money to shift from depending only on
cars to a more balanced transportation system with more choices. It
proposes changes in how we permit and regulate development, parking, and
street design, all based on the surrounding area. The element includes
motor vehicles, transit, walking, and bicycling with an emphasis on
safety for all users. The element supports reducing pollution and
energy use by changes in the way we travel and by use of new
technologies.

About BikeWalkLee Blog

This is the official Blog for BikeWalkLee.org. BikeWalkLee is a community coalition raising public awareness and advocating for complete streets in Lee County -- streets that are designed, built, operated and maintained for safe and convenient travel for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities.